Chapter 193

Episode 189: The Mysterious Impostor and the Strange Occurrences

There are a few predictable events that tend to follow popular figures.

One such event had just befallen me, Solciera.

Indeed, it was the appearance of an impostor.

“My impostor… huh.”

“That’s right. Lately, there have been frequent sightings of someone at Kroma Music Academy.”

Clam then showed me a video displayed on his Dive Gear.

The video seemed to capture a nighttime cityscape, with a blue-silver-haired beautiful girl leaping across rooftops. Her outfit and hair appeared identical to Solciera’s.

Star Reader’s Staff, is that you?

“Nope. If it were me, I’d subtly hint at the relationship between Solciera and Zero. But this impostor isn’t doing that. This fake Solciera is a failure—completely useless,” Star Reader’s Staff commented.

Don’t talk about eating people like that.

“Moreover, there’s no elegance in those movements. A true Solciera would move gracefully, captivating the eyes of onlookers with elegant gestures. And besides, she wouldn’t allow herself to be filmed this much just for the sake of conversation!”

I couldn’t agree more with Star Reader’s Staff.

A mysterious presence, leaving only the bare minimum of information—that’s what defines Solciera.

In comparison, how does this Solciera fare?

My fans went wild over the impostor, spreading videos around. Some even captured her for more than ten minutes straight.

This isn’t Solciera. Though the appearance may resemble hers, it’s not her.

Most importantly, the radiance of a beautiful girl is absent.

Just that alone feels like an insult to all beautiful girls.

Any girl who admires Solciera should possess the brilliance of a beautiful girl within her heart.

And naturally, even if one were male but harbored the will to become a beautiful girl, they would exude that brilliance.

Its absence means either it’s being used purely for selfish purposes or…

“Could it not even be a living being…?”

“You seem to know something! Impressive, as expected from Solciera!!”

“…Yes, of course.”

It seems I accidentally voiced my thoughts, hitting close to the truth.

Now what?

“Ho ho, still as loose-lipped as ever, aren’t we?”

Shut up!

Anyway, I need to cover it up somehow.

Let me think of some lie…

“This situation might get a bit tricky. However… hehe, it looks fun.”

“Kei, are you alright? According to reports, this impostor was using abilities similar to yours.”

Oh no, is interference being copied now?

Isn’t interference supposed to always be top-tier?

What happened to Tier 1?

“Ho ho ho, it’s impossible for interference to be mimicked. That power belongs solely to me and you.”

“…No, we can do it too.”

Huh?

“What?”

Angel…!?

“Angels learn from previous individuals and evolve through their deaths. Therefore, it’s not unusual for an angel capable of countering and acquiring interference to emerge. After all, I myself evolved that way. My purpose was to create poison to kill the second angel who defeated me. Since that failed, the possibility of countering with the same interference is high.”

“Newcomers shouldn’t act so arrogantly! Interference isn’t something easily imitated—it involves intervening in phenomena!”

“Yes, which is why it’s likely limited to the interference abilities Solciera has used until now. By restricting the interference, they made its reproduction possible.”

So… am I fighting my past self?

“That’s correct. Was this helpful, Mylord?”

“In situations like these, one says ‘How was it?'”

“Ah, I see… How was it?”

More summary sites are popping up.

“Kei, can you win? These kinds of impostors are extremely powerful at first. To defeat Dark Solciera, you’ll need an enhanced form! …Ah, or maybe a movie version?! Like getting rare联动items with advance tickets?!”

“Fufufu, who knows?”

I pat Hikari on the head and smile.

Her pure words always bring a smile to my face.

And I also feel the desire to meet those expectations.

Thus, let’s prepare a form specifically for Fake Siera.

“People above always act this way! They don’t understand the struggles on the ground, do they?”

“Ground…?”

Isn’t this usual?

Considering the schedule… since we’re going to Kroma during Hinotuchi Culture Festival, I’d like it completed by then.

“Just three days!”

Three days? Isn’t that enough?

All the transformations until now were spur-of-the-moment ideas, right?

“Eh… Could that really be spur-of-the-moment? Did I lose to spur-of-the-moment ideas?”

Angel seems shocked.

Apparently, they got utterly crushed by Zero Mode.

When did we fight anyway?

Probably when I was bedridden.

True, the use of magical power wasn’t wrong.

“Anyway, we must investigate the impostor’s purpose. Solciera can handle it alone, though.”

Clam said something terrifying.

Does that include killing?

In any case, we need to meet this impostor once.

If they’re one of my fans, perhaps a little service like patting their head is acceptable.

“There’s also the possibility it could be an angel. Be careful, Mylord.”

Come on, Angel, relax.

I’m the strongest Solciera, after all?

“Still, interference ability originates from the power of the calamity cocoon. Even if it’s a limited reproduction, if it’s real, it will surely be a tough battle. We should prepare thoroughly.”

“Ho ho, this serious guy… wouldn’t make it as a beautiful girl, would he?”

Even stern beautiful girls exist, Star Reader’s Staff.

An angel-type beautiful girl learning human rules and emotions to get closer to humans… yeah, that works.

Eventually, I’ll turn them into a beautiful girl too, nee ^_^?

“? Aren’t beautiful girls something one recognizes rather than becomes?”

They’ve already built a strange set of values.

“Kei, there’s something else I need to tell you…”

Clam said with a serious expression.

“It seems Toa was attacked by this impostor yesterday.”

Alright, I’ll kill it.

Without mercy or play, I’ll eliminate it swiftly and surely.

“Someone interfering with beautiful girls… time for purification, eh.”

“What’s wrong with both of you?”

Because of this impostor, a beautiful girl was hurt.

There’s no compassion left for it now.

“…So, is Toa alright?”

“Yeah, she’s fine. She was working a part-time job setting up venues at Kroma. Apparently, she met Solciera there.”

“She was attacked… Why didn’t anyone inform us sooner?”

“She was taken to the hospital and woke up just now. She was working alone, so she couldn’t contact anyone… Mizuki and this girl were supposed to help her starting today.”

I see…

Yesterday, Toa was attacked by this despicable impostor.

She contacted us immediately upon waking up.

…Hm?

“How’s that?”

How did they know it was an impostor?

Given they don’t know my true identity, normally they’d say they were attacked by Solciera.

Surely, this video would also be believed to feature Solciera herself.

In fact, most online comments assume it’s the real deal.

“I have one question. How did that child know it was my impostor?”

This was completely unexpected, but there’s a possibility Toa knows my true identity.

Damn, I didn’t want the initial group at Factom General Academy to find out…

“Wouldn’t revealing your true identity make activities easier?”

“Later revelations generate more excitement. Plus, members who’ve been together longer usually benefit more from this kind of thing.”

You’re sharp, Star Reader’s Staff.

That’s right.

I’ve always excelled at perfect maneuvers to conceal my true identity…!

“Well, whether it’s perfect or not… uh, yeah… ^_^”

Why are you smiling?

“According to Toa, she couldn’t converse with Solciera. It was like talking to a robot that kept repeating the same thing.”

“Same words?”

“Kept muttering—’Show me the sanctuary user.’ That’s all.”

Sanctuary? What’s that…?

For now, I’ll pretend I know.

Mysterious Beautiful Girls can’t afford to appear ignorant.

“I see, sanctuary. So, that’s the target.”

“Yes! As for sanctuaries, isn’t it the relic inherited by the Student Council President of Kroma Music Academy?

Surely, this evil Solciera army was created to steal it…!”

Thanks, Hikari!

I didn’t know about this because it wasn’t in the original Kroma storyline!

“Alright, alright, fiction. Hikari, be quiet.”

Clam pats Hikari’s head.

Then, looking at me, he continued.

“Also, Toa says Solciera would never do anything terrible. Hence, it must be an impostor… She trusts you a lot.”

“Hehe, such a pure child. She has no idea what I’m thinking, does she?”

“Saying that, you’re secretly happy, aren’t you?”

“…I dislike that kind of joke.”

“Alright, alright.”

Clam chuckled softly.

Nice, this kind of interaction.

We’ve built quite a good relationship with Clam, haven’t we?

“Specializing in brain burning, so we should stay close and burn more brains ^^”

“Is normal affection forbidden? Why go through such roundabout ways…?”

That’s love.

“…Love.”

Someday, I’ll teach you too.

So, our plan is decided.

Let’s go take revenge for Toa.

“Destroy their spirit and kill them, ho ho ^^”

They’re seriously pissed off…

“I won’t tolerate any more ridiculous farces under my guise. Let’s head to Kroma immediately.”

“I knew you’d say that.”

Clam nodded.

Then, he handed Hikari over to me.

“As I mentioned earlier, Mizuki and Hikari are scheduled to go to Kroma today. I added Kei’s name as well. This way, we should be able to act freely at the scene where Toa was attacked.”

“Very thoughtful of you.”

“I want to kill—no, find the impostor who hurt Toa and stole your name. Needless to say, Mizuki will be useful, and lately, Hikari has inexplicably become quite strong, so she’ll surely be helpful.”

“The ‘inexplicably’ part is unnecessary, but I am strong! Leave it to me!”

Hikari proudly puffed out her chest.

How cute ^_^

“That’s right. I’m counting on you.”

“YES!!!”

Hikari’s energetic response echoed through the room.

Thinking about it, this might be the first time I’m taking serious action with her.

“Do you see, Solciera, flustered by the energetic Hikari who contrasts so sharply with yourself… Angel, what do you make of this?”

“Perhaps overlaying her own childhood memories onto Hikari and viewing her as a protective object?”

There are two perverts now…